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Roaring '20s
The decade known as the Roaring '20s was a prosperous time for American business. More people were able to participate in the economy due to the recent popularization of buying on credit. Consumerism and Escapism were both the greatest aspects of the decade, with significant emphasis placed on entertainment and material goods. However, the Roaring '20s were not good for everyone, as the decade also saw a rise in KKK membership and other rampant inequalities. -
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The Great Depression
The Great Depression was the greatest economic downturn in American history. It started from a stock market crash in 1929 and it caused record unemployment rates. While Roosevelt's New Deal programs helped to alleviate some of the effects of the Great Depression, it was only truly lifted due to World War II. -
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Presidency - Herbert Hoover
Due to his inactiveness amidst the crisis of the depression, many blamed Hoover for America's poor economic state. Homeless towns that were popping up around America were being called Hoovervilles. -
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Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl was a massive drought that overlapped with the Great Depression. The drought hit Midwest farmers especially hard and forced many to leave their farms and homes in search of new opportunities in California. -
Emergency Banking Act
This act instituted a four-day bank holiday in order to prevent runs on the banks. This was the first act passed by President Roosevelt during the famous "First Hundred Days." -
Glass-Steagall Act
This act separated commercial banking from investment banking in order to prevent another major stock market crash from influencing the general public's bank-held money. -
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Presidency - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
President Roosevelt, also known as FDR, was famous for his progressive reforms to attempt to drag the United States out of the Great Depression. He was also well-known for his radio talks called "Fireside Chats" where he explained new legislation in non-legal terms that the average American would be more likely to understand. -
Social Security Act
This act instituted the Social Security Administration which provided necessary income for the elderly, unemployed, and disabled. This allowed vulnerable populations to stay alive while they either tried to find a job or waited for the economy to get better. -
National Labor Relations Act of 1935
The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, also known as the Wagner Act, protected the rights of workers wanting to unionize and strike in order to get better conditions for themselves from the company. -
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 protected workers from being unfairly treated by their companies by setting government standards that had to be followed by businesses. If the businesses chose to disobey, they would be punished. The standards included safety standards, a maximum amount of hours one could work, and a minimum wage.